Rough Country Steering Stabilizer

[zwsmith81]

I’ve got a 1997 Ranger with a 4 inch lift and 33’s. I put a rough country steering stabilizer on it which helps tremendously but I’m having trouble with keeping a bushing on the one end. The bracket on the frame side is fine but the other bracket that bolts to the drag link is factory bent on a 45 degree angle. This puts the bushing in a ton of stress. I’m actually on my second one because the first one had the bushing fail and it let the nut come loose and ended up bending the stabilizer. I ordered a set of poly bushings which has helped but I still can’t figure out why that bracket comes from the factory bent like it is. I know I could just take it off and attempt to bend it straight but this stabilizer is application specific for my 97 TTB. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you need a steering stabilizer on a TTB you probably need a drop pitman arm and a better alignment, they get really janky with the stock steering components and the steering linkage geometry not correct... and the normal drop pitman arm included in lifts (if Rough Country even comes with one at all) is NOT enough...

Unfortunately I can't give much assistance past that, I have ~6" lift on my '90 and there's a real good reason I spent $200 on a FA600 drop pitman arm...

 

[4x4junkie]

Agreed, these trucks shouldn't need a stabilizer if everything else is in good order.

×2, the Skyjacker pt# FA600 drop pitman arm is likely what you need.

See this link:

Steering Tech - Discussing TTB Steering and Alignment - The Ranger Station

How it’s supposed to work (and why it often doesn’t work like so) Steering continues to be one of the most overlooked, often misunderstood pitfalls on these suspensions, so I felt this subject deserves it’s very own page. As many … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

That said, if you still wish to keep the stabilizer, then your best bet is to just bend that bracket so that it sits straighter.

 

[Curious Hound]

Ivebeen running a Skyjacker 6" lift on my 93 for years and never felt a need for a stabilizer. The fa600 pitman arm is a key. I have the fa400 that came with my lift. But I have extensively changed the rest of my steering linkage to get better geometry.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ivebeen running a Skyjacker 6" lift on my 93 for years and never felt a need for a stabilizer. The fa600 pitman arm is a key. I have the fa400 that came with my lift. But I have extensively changed the rest of my steering linkage to get better geometry.

I've contemplated a swingset setup on the Ranger but the stock stuff works great for me now that I've tweaked it with longer radius arms, when I get to doing a Jana 54 on the Explorer I'll get a bit crazier since I'll have to invent a bunch of stuff because no one does dumb stuff like swap TO TTB like I'm planning

I agree with likely needing to bend the brackets to fit, lots of people do run those stabilizers so it should work for you once you get it tweaked to work right. It's a bandaid but you go what you gotta do, I've ran my '90 all clapped out for years but finally extended the radius arms earlier this year, only had the parts for like 11 years...

 

[gaz]

When my Ranger was on the stock 4×4 suspension with 29" tires, steering comfort was DRAMATICALLY improved by the addition of a single shock steering stabilizer; was it required, of course not, did improve my driving experience...HAILZ TO THE YEA$!!

 

[SenorNoob]

For the OP, DIY bracket time?

Vague thoughts on the need for steering stabilizer. I have lots of things tweaked on my truck (usually poorly). I can let go of the wheel at highway speed and hold a straight line. I would however appreciate stiffer steering. Can a stabilizer have that effect?

 

[Curious Hound]

For the OP, DIY bracket time?

Vague thoughts on the need for steering stabilizer. I have lots of things tweaked on my truck (usually poorly). I can let go of the wheel at highway speed and hold a straight line. I would however appreciate stiffer steering. Can a stabilizer have that effect?

New bushings and a good alignment are best for trying to tighten the steering on TTB. Increasing toe will do it. But you sacrifice tire wear. The stabilizer just dampens feedback from bumps in the road.

These trucks are not designed for tight cornering performance. Steering is more like your Christmas wish list. You say "I would like to turn right and stay in my lane, please." And if you're not on the naughty list, you may get your wish.

 

[zwsmith81]

My 4 inch lift came with a drop pitman arm. The stabilizer was added mainly because my gearbox has some play in it and the stabilizer helped out tremendously. I think I’m just gonna need to take the bracket off and bend it a little to straighten the alignment on the stabilizer bushings. Thanks for all your input!

 

[4x4junkie]

For the OP, DIY bracket time?

Vague thoughts on the need for steering stabilizer. I have lots of things tweaked on my truck (usually poorly). I can let go of the wheel at highway speed and hold a straight line. I would however appreciate stiffer steering. Can a stabilizer have that effect?

Yeah I don't think a stabilizer would affect that much. The steering on these old trucks has a different character than newer, more-modern vehicles (less tight, I guess it could be described as... They simply don't respond to very-minute steering inputs like a modern vehicle with rack & pinion steering does). The fact you can let go of the wheel and it tracks straight ahead (I assume along with not having excess play in the steering and the tires are wearing normally) says you're probably about as good as it gets.

My 4 inch lift came with a drop pitman arm. The stabilizer was added mainly because my gearbox has some play in it and the stabilizer helped out tremendously. I think I’m just gonna need to take the bracket off and bend it a little to straighten the alignment on the stabilizer bushings. Thanks for all your input!

Sounds like a new/rebuilt steering gear is in order. It's a near-guarantee though, your dropped arm is also a part of the problem too if it's the one that came with your (I assume Rough Country) kit (did you read that link?)